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Orsa & Winston
Master Critic Review
Orsa & Winston
9.1
Chef Josef Centeno’s Michelin-starred Orsa & Winston turns Italian-Japanese tasting menus into carefully choreographed evenings that can be tailored gluten-free with advance notice. In a small dining room inside the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank Building, courses move from seafood porridge to seasonal vegetables with quietly precise service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal Tasting Menu with Gluten-Free Substitutions, Seafood Porridge with Gluten-Free Adjustments, Vegetable-Driven Courses from the Vegetarian Tasting Path
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred tasting menu that thoughtfully accommodates gluten-free diners.
Who should go: Gluten-free diners wanting a serious special-occasion tasting menu.
When to visit: Prime-time dinner reservations for the full tasting experience.
What to order: Five-course omakase with gluten-free substitutions, seafood porridge, seasonal vegetable courses.
Insider tip: Note gluten-free needs when booking; the kitchen will customize the entire progression.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking can be scarce in the Historic Core; use nearby paid structures on Main or 4th ($8–$18). Rideshare is the most convenient option for evening seatings.
Dress code: Elegant smart-casual; diners tend to dress up. Jackets not required, but polished attire fits the Michelin-level setting.
Noise level: Low to moderate; the small dining room is intentionally quiet, making conversation easy throughout the meal.
Weekend wait: Reservations are essential; walk-ins are rarely accommodated for the tasting menu.
Weekday lunch: Lunch service is not typically offered; the restaurant focuses on dinner tasting menus.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the kitchen can craft a full vegetarian progression with advance notice.
Vegan options: Possible but limited; vegan tasting menus require prior coordination and may exclude certain signature courses.
Gluten-free options: Excellent — the restaurant routinely adapts the entire tasting menu for gluten-free diners with thoughtful substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the quiet, intimate room and choreographed tasting format make it ideal for a romantic, high-impact first date with someone who appreciates fine dining.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. The room is small, tasting-menu–only, and typically books out in advance. Always reserve ahead and note dietary needs when booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly; the multi-course tasting format and quiet room are better suited to adults. Older teens who enjoy fine dining may be comfortable.
Best For
Better for: A meticulously customized gluten-free fine-dining experience with Michelin-level pacing and quiet, intimate service — rare in downtown LA.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte ordering, louder buzzy rooms, or short meals under two hours; the experience here is structured, slow, and intentionally refined.